Top of the South Wood Council

26/06/2026

18/06/2026

Results of an independent survey on woody debris left along Nelson Tasman coastlines following the floods of June and July 2025, concludes it is inaccurate to describe the majority of debris from the storms as ‘slash’, noting that the material reflects a mix of land uses and natural sources across the region.

Over the next few weeks, Sara Hollyman will look at the report in depth, while talking to forestry experts. Today we share a broad overview of the report’s findings.

Read more here 👇

Storm report challenges ‘slash’ claims on Tasman beaches

15/06/2026

📢NOMINATIONS CLOSE FRIDAY 19 JUNE!📢

The Top of the South Wood Council Forestry Awards - presented by OneForty One New Zealand & Port Nelson, are back on 31 July 2026. Nominations are now open - this is your chance to recognise and celebrate the individuals, crews, and companies in the industry.

You can nominate under any of the following Award Categories:

• Trainee of the Year
• Forestry Excellence
• Harvesting Excellence
• Distribution Excellence
• Wood Processing & Manufacturing Excellence
• Roading Civil Excellence
• Crew of the Year
• Tree Faller – Manual Excellence
• Tree Faller – Mechanised Excellence
• Truck Driver Excellence
• Log Processor Excellence
• NZ Apprentice of the Year
• Outstanding H&S Management Award
• Outstanding Environmental Management
• Innovation Excellence
• "Hero of our Industry" Award
• "Good Deed" Award

To make your nomination go to: https://totswoodcouncil.org.nz/forestry-awards/nominations/

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15/06/2026

Did you know the University of Canterbury is the only university in Australasia offering a forestry programme with a focus on ethical and sustainable management? 📚🌲♻️

By studying a degree in forestry, you will learn how to sustainably manage forest resources, conservation, and policy and planning.

So, what are you waiting for - Have a look at their website now!

💻https://pulse.ly/f8889q70na

Also a hot tip:

Don’t forget to check out the scholarships available. Our industry has a range of amazing organisations that want to see you thrive. ☄️

https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/study/academic-study/subjects/forest-engineering

In a Bachelor in Forestry Science you get to study science, commerce, engineering, and sociology. Learn more out about studying Forestry Science at UC.

09/06/2026

We would encourage all contractors to contribute to this valuable data! We can't manage what we don't measure.

Click the link below before 30 June 2026

👇

09/06/2026

02/06/2026

📢 NES-CF Update Now in Force – Effective 4 June 2026

The updated National Environmental Standards for Commercial Forestry (NES-CF) have now been officially gazetted and come into force from 4 June 2026. These changes are intended to improve efficiency, provide greater national consistency, and make the regulations clearer for forest owners, managers, contractors, and councils.
Key changes include:
�🌲 Greater national consistency by limiting when councils can apply more stringent local rules�🌲 Clearer requirements for harvesting, earthworks, river crossings, and quarrying activities�🌲 Updates to slash and debris management provisions, including risk assessment requirements�🌲 Streamlined planning and notification requirements for some forestry activities�🌲 Reduced compliance costs while maintaining environmental protections in higher-risk areas.
These amendments are part of the Government's wider resource management reform programme and are aimed at providing more certainty for forestry operations while continuing to manage environmental risks associated with commercial forestry.

For more information, google:
📖 MPI – NES-CF Overview�📖 NZ Legislation – NES-CF Amendment Regulations 2026�📖 Ministry for the Environment – NES-CF Information

The National Environmental Standards for Commercial Forestry (previously Plantation Forestry) provide nationally consistent regulations to manage the environmental effects of commercial forestry. Find out more about the standards.

29/05/2026

28/05/2026

📢 24 April 2026 – ETS NZ Cost Recovery Annual Report 2024–25

The first ETS cost recovery annual report has been released, outlining the cost recovery settings, revenue, and expenditure associated with operating the ETS for forestry during the 2024–25 financial year.

The report provides transparency on how fees and annual charges collected under legislation and regulations were used to support the operation of the ETS.

Read more here 👇

There are fees for services such as applying to register in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), applying for an emissions ruling, transferring responsibility for land in the ETS, and submitting emissions returns. You will also be charged an annual charge if you have post-1989 forest land in the ETS.

28/05/2026

🌲🏆 Know the Awards – Nominate Now!

The Top of the South Wood Council Forestry Awards - presented by OneForty One New Zealand & Port Nelson, are back on 31 July 2026. Nominations are now open - this is your chance to recognise and celebrate the individuals, crews, and companies in the industry.

You can nominate under any of the following Award Categories:
• Trainee of the Year
• Forestry Excellence
• Harvesting Excellence
• Distribution Excellence
• Wood Processing & Manufacturing Excellence
• Roading Civil Excellence
• Crew of the Year
• Tree Faller – Manual Excellence
• Tree Faller – Mechanised Excellence
• Truck Driver Excellence
• Log Processor Excellence
• NZ Apprentice of the Year
• Outstanding H&S Management Award
• Outstanding Environmental Management
• Innovation Excellence
• "Hero of our Industry" Award
• "Good Deed" Award

📝 Nominations are open! Know a crew, company or individual doing great work? Put them forward today. Nominations close Friday 19 June 2026.

To make your nomination go to: https://totswoodcouncil.org.nz/forestry-awards/nominations/